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2026 Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) NAFO Area 2 + Divisions 3KLMNO groundfish fishery mobile gear fleet

1. Eligibility

Participation in the NAFO Area 2 + Divisions 3KLMNO mobile gear groundfish fishery is restricted to inshore groundfish licence holders with vessels <27.4 meters (90 feet), with a homeport in NAFO Divisions 2GHJ3KL.

2. Fishing areas

This Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP) governs the directed mobile gear groundfish fishery in NAFO Area 2 + Divisions 3KLMNO for the NAFO management cycle which runs from January 1 to December 31 annually.

3. Fishing restrictions

This CHP applies to the following species:

As per the Groundfish General Licence Conditions and species specific licence conditions.

4. Catch limitations

Greenland halibut

  1. The NAFO Area 2 + Divisions 3KLMNO Greenland halibut mobile-gear allocation will be allocated according to a rotational priority list created from a random draw of eligible harvesters. This list will remain valid for the following seasons.
  2. For 2026, the first two harvesters on the list will each be offered a permit which shall include a catch limit of half the mobile gear allocation in NAFO Divisions 2+3K, and in NAFO Divisions 3LMNO.
  3. Harvesters will be permitted to harvest the NAFO Divisions 3LMNO quota portion in NAFO Divisions 2GHJ3K.
  4. Each permit will be for a 2 week duration, starting on the opening date.
  5. For each eligible harvester, the initial 2 week permit may be extended if fishing activity has commenced within that initial two week period.
  6. If a harvester has not started to actively fish their permit prior to their permit expiring, they will not be issued a second permit. A permit will be issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada to the next eligible harvester on the list, and the harvester will be moved to the bottom of the rotational priority list for the next season.
  7. Following the 2 week period, the remaining quota will be assessed and additional permits may be issued until the quota is taken.
  8. Harvesters who accept and use a permit will be moved to the bottom of the rotational priority list for the next season.
  9. If a harvester declines a permit, they will retain their position on the rotational priority list for one year only.
  10. If a harvester declines a permit two years in a row, they will be moved to the bottom of the list for the next season.
  11. No vessel transfers or vessel leasing is permitted.
  12. Quota Reconciliation: Nominal quota over-runs from the previous year's fishery will be deducted from the current year's quota prior to the start of the fishing season.

5. Season

Notes:

1Target opening dates. The opening dates for all mobile gear groundfish fisheries will be set in consultation with industry. If ice conditions warrant the opening date will be reviewed.

6. Fishing gear

As per the species licence conditions.

7. Licensing policy

The commercial fishery is guided by licensing policy which sets out requirements and eligibility criteria established by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada with respect to the licensing of commercial fishing and communal commercial fishing in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region. The policies provide fish harvesters, Indigenous Organizations, and the Canadian public with a clear and consistent statement regarding the Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) policy respecting commercial fishing enterprises, the registration of vessels, and the issuance of recreational and commercial fishing licences in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region.

8. Small fish and by-catch closure protocol

  1. Areas will be closely monitored and may be closed to fishing when the number of undersized fish caught exceeds 15% of the total number of the directed species, or when by-catch levels become a conservation concern.
  2. Closures due to small fish or by-catch will remain in effect for a minimum of 10 days.
  3. When a fishery is closed, it will not reopen until it can be effectively monitored and controlled.
  4. If a fishery in a particular area is closed twice during the year, it may remain closed for the remainder of the year.
  5. If a fishery is closed for the minimum 10-day period due to high incidental catch levels or small fish, reopening will only be considered following a successful, observed, industry funded test fishery.

Species and minimum size (cm)

9. Monitoring and reporting

As per the Groundfish General Licence Conditions and species specific licence conditions.

10. By-catch and incidental catch

As per the Groundfish General Licence Conditions.

11. Species and Risk Act (SARA)

The following species are considered at risk and listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) as either Threatened or Endangered:

In accordance with subsection 83(4) of SARA and the recovery strategy for northern wolffish, spotted wolffish, and leatherback turtle, and having met the conditions of sections 73(2) to (6.1) of SARA for white shark, the licence holder or vessel operator is permitted to carry out commercial fishing activities authorized under the Fisheries Act that may incidentally kill, harm, harass, or capture these species.

During these fishing activities, incidental catches of a these species must be returned to the place from which it was taken, and where it is alive, in a manner that causes the least harm. The licence holder or vessel operator is also required to complete the SARA section in the fishing logbook to provide information regarding any interactions with these species. Please refer to the Groundfish General Licence Conditions for further information on these requirements.

12. Marine mammals

As per the Groundfish General Licence Conditions, refer to Schedule 38 - Marine Mammal Interactions and Management Measures.

13. Marine conservation targets: closed areas

As per Schedule 36 – Closed Areas which is attached to the Groundfish General Licence Conditions.

14. Indigenous participation

Allocations will be negotiated with applicable Indigenous communities for food, social and ceremonial (FSC) purposes. Communal licences for FSC and commercial access will be issued under the Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licence Regulations.

15. Safety at sea

Safety at sea is a shared responsibility, with Transport Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, and provincial authorities each playing a role; however, the primary responsibility for ensuring the safety of a fishing vessel and its crew rests with the vessel owner and operator. Operators are responsible for ensuring their vessel is seaworthy, properly registered and equipped, compliant with all applicable regulations, and operated within its safe limits, including stability, weather conditions, and crew competency. This includes maintaining valid certifications, approved safety equipment, written emergency procedures, trained crew, and safe operating practices at all times. Given the serious risks associated with commercial fishing, vessel operators are strongly encouraged to carefully review the complete Safety at Sea guidance document to fully understand their obligations and best practices. The guidance document should be read in its entirety before each fishing season and whenever vessel operations change.

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